Hamilton Parish community unites for peace walk
Hundreds of people marched for peace on Saturday in an event aimed at underlining “the importance of unity”.
Residents lined the streets to support the marchers who walked from Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club to Hamilton Parish Workman’s Club on the Hamilton Parish Live in Peace March.
The night ended with performances from the SMS Village Gombeys and the Hamilton Parish Majorette and Dance Team.
Event organiser Desmond Crockwell, of YouthVision Promotions, said he did it to help the community band together.
He added: “I’m just proud that we can come together and act with a purpose.” He said that everyone honoured during the march had ties to the area.
• Steven Jireh Iris: Mr Iris, 22, was killed in August 2013 after being stabbed on Glebe Road, Devonshire. Tyrone Pedro, charged with his death, admitted manslaughter in March the following year and was sentenced to six years imprisonment.
• Glenn Blakeney: Mr Blakeney, 45, died at the end of 2018 after a five-year battle with cancer. He was less than four weeks away from his 46th birthday.
• Kiara Paiva: Kiara, 15, took her own life in January 2019 after struggling with depression.
• Daemon Bell: Mr Bell, 49, died in February 2022 after he was struck in the face with a gardening hoe. Ajamu Hollis pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with his death and on May 15 this year was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
• Marco Warren: Mr Warren, captain of the champion PHC football team, died after being struck by a vehicle at the junction of North Shore and Trinity Church Roads in Hamilton Parish on May 14 last year. Former Progressive Labour Party senator Curtis Richardson has been charged with causing his death by driving without due care and attention.
Mr Crockwell said he found that community events always had the greatest impact in YouthVision’s efforts to promote peace.
He added that people from all walks of life had come together through the events and “understand the importance of unity”.
Mr Crockwell said: “We’ve actually seen young men and women who are participating in antisocial behaviour come together and hug those who are mourning.”
At the event, loved ones of those who were honoured, came forward to remind the public of the importance of peace.
Dee-Ah Iris, the mother of Steven Iris, said “there still is a hole in my heart”, 11 years after her son’s death.
She added: “We are a community and so, when something happens in the community, there are so many other facets that are effected.”
A spokeswoman for the family of Kiara Paiva, who took her own life, reminded the crowd to look out for their own loved ones.
“Mental health is real,” she added, “And everybody will suffer, whether from depression or social anxiety.”
A spokeswoman for Shawnette Bell, the husband of Daemon Bell, told adults to be responsible when consuming alcohol.
She said: “When you’re out there drinking and partying, please know your limit.
“If your mind says ‘I think I’ve had enough but your mouth says ‘I want some more’, just think about the consequences that can happen.”
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